Bella-Gotti Family

The Bella-Gotti family are a famous, and prominent Heran Noble Family who govern many territories in Eastern Hera, in addition to the Miran nation of Luia. Originally from the areas around the city of Aviano, the Bella-Gotti family saw itself rise to prominence during the NT 300s, as Hera gained increasing naval dominance in its region. The Bella-Gotti was born as a Merchant Family, but eventually grew in prominence as their personal wealth exploded.

Today the Bella-Gotti family are considered as part of the Five Great Houses of Hera, alongside the Tramontozzi, Franza, Di Giorgio, and Ciuffo. The Bella-Gotti are patrons of the arts, and vehement crusaders against corruption, having had a centuries long rivalry with the Castagna-Scuderi Crime family.

Foundation
The Bella-Gotti was founded by the merchant Melchiorre Bella-Gotti. Coronato was born to a family of minor businessmen in the city of Aviano. Coronato's father Monaldo worked as a barber-doctor, while his mother Luce sew and sold clothes in the local market. Melchiorre's childhood could be described as 'comfortable', as his parents while far from which were able to provide for him a safe and secure childhood, and even a formal education in Medicine from the local Università di Aviana.

Melchiorre grew bored with his every day life, however, and after interacting with the children of nobility at school and getting a taste of the high life through them, he decided that he would push his family further than his parents ever did. Melchiorre had been saving his money which he earned from helping his father in the barbershop, and chose to invest it all into a caravan which was planning to import textiles from Rea. Though his friends thought him foolish for investing in a random caravan, Melchiorre had learned, through his mother, that Aviano was suffering a shortage of cotton thanks to droughts in the south, and when his caravan returned, Melchiorre found that his money had increase many times over.

To his father's chagrin, Melchiorre dropped out of school, and purchased a boat, which we then used to birth his families trading empire. Melchiorre would eventually rise to become the richest low-born man in Hera, with a fortune in the millions. With his immense wealth, he was easily able to purchase a small holding 30 miles to the north of Aviano, where an old decrepit Rotharian fortification lay in the woods. Melchiorre invested significant money repairing the castle, and soon christened it 'Castello Bella-Gotti', and was granted the tittle 'Conte Di Bella-Gotti', giving rise to the Bella-Gotti family.

Modern Day
Today the Conte Di Bella-Gotti is a title now falling under the 'Duca di Aviano'. As the Bella-Gotti family rose in prominence, they were eventually granted the Duchy of Aviano, making them one of the most prominent families in eastern Hera. In the centuries since their foundation, the Bella-Gotti family have seen the addition of the titles of the County of Aviane, north of Aviano governed by Conte Azelio Bella-Gotti, the County of Missana, governed by Tesauro Vasco Bella-Gotti, and the County of Sona, governed by Contessa Carla Bella-Gotti current mistress of the King.

The Bella-Gotti has also seen their family become the rulers of the March of Luia in the Miran Federation, with Marquis Vidiano Nicole La Bella-Gotti appointed to the title by the Miran Federal Council after the extinction of the previous ruling family.

Family Beliefs and Attitudes
The Bella-Gotti are considered a family with iron-clad morals, and a fierce dedication to fighting corruption. Bella-Gotti businesses, which exist across Hera, have suffered extortion, and vandalism at the hands of the infamous Castagna-Scuderi criminal family. In response to damage caused by the Scuderi, the Bella-Gotti family has begun pouring significant investments into local guards, and bounty hunters organizations across Hera, and for decades now have been locked into an unstated cold war with the family.

Members of the Bella-Gotti family are typically considered to be shrewd, and masterful negotiators thanks in part to their historic, and present involvement in business. The average Bella-Gotti family member is on average far more wealthy than the average Heran Noble, even across political rank, with even lowly Barons of the Bella-Gotti residing the residences typically reserved for Counts. Most non-titled Bella-Gotti often assist the family in the operation of their numerous businesses, including Merchant fleets, Iron mines, and tens of thousands of acres of farmland across eastern and southern Hera.

Estates and Holdings
The Bella-Gotti family hold the titles of Duke of Aviano (Which is the family's primary title), Marquis of Luia in the Miran Federation, Counts of Aviano, Aviane, Missana, and Sona, and the Barony of Rizzata.

The four primary estates of the Bella-Gotti family are the Palazzo di Torra in Luia, the Palazzo di Aviano in Hera, and the Castello Bella-Gotti, and Castello di Sona. Both the Palazzo di Torra, and Aviano are considered to be among the largest, and most regal estates in Hera and Mira. Additionally the Castello Bella-Gotti is one of the most famous, and beautiful Chateaux in Hera, and a highly defensible fortress capable of holding out for over a year in the case of a siege.

Notable Members
Duca Coronato Bella-Gotti

Marchese Vidiano Nicole La Bella-Gotti

Conte Tesauro Vasco Bella-Gotti

Conte Azelio Bella-Gotti

Contessa Carla Bella-Gotti